...in one district town they arrested a completely innocent man, someone I had never seen, a distant relative, and asked him what instructions I had given him!!), and I am doing everything in my power to convince my brother either not to go or to dash off for two weeks, and I convince, and I mock, and I curse him (I have never cursed at him so viciously) — nothing works, he has gotten stuck on one thing: home and home! Now he has gone so far that a statement has been sent to Russia — which means it will be (in the case that this statement arrives, and it certainly will) a direct indication of a new literary enterprise. But now wouldn't it be better to wait a bit longer for Alexei? Just now my "opponent" will arrive, and I will give him this to read — let him "refute" it, if he has the conscience for it!

We are both in perfect health, but our nerves have come completely unwound — mainly this agonizing indeterminacy*, these damned Germans are feeding us with breakfasts — ah! I would like to — them!..

Yes, I forgot! (forgive me, please, magnanimously for the hastiness of this letter!) — negotiations were already held with Bukhholtz — he refused, outright refused. He keeps pressing us into a Vermittlerrolle** — and whatever you like!

I shake your hand firmly and send greetings to your entire family.

Your Petrov

Zagoskaya just arrived. I will see her tomorrow.

Sent from Munich to Zurich

First published in 1925

in Leninsky Sbornik III

Printed from the manuscript